Microsoft: Xbox 360 widens lead over PlayStation 3

Microsoft said today that it had sold more than 28 million Xbox 360s since introducing the game console in November 2005. That compares with more than 20 million PlayStation 3 consoles sold by Sony since it debuted the device in November 2006, according to Microsoft executives.

"We're widening our lead against PlayStation 3," said Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for the Xbox, who noted that going into the fourth quarter, Microsoft's lead had been 5 million consoles. "This was the best year in the history of the Xbox, despite the tough economy."

Greenberg credited last year's growth to a lineup of exclusive games, including Gears of War 2, Left for Dead and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

He also credited the company's online game service, Xbox Live. The company said it now has 17 million Xbox Live subscribers who can use their consoles to find online opponents, download games or watch movies and TV shows. Though many Xbox Live subscribers opt for the free version of the service, Greenberg said that the majority pay $50 a year for the premium service, which includes the ability for Netflix members to view the service's Instant Watch movies and television shows for free.

Microsoft said online sales on the service, such as movie rentals and downloads of TV shows and games, jumped 84% in 2008 from 2007. The Redmond, Wash., company said consumers have spent more than $1 billion on Xbox Live, but it did not say how much of that was spent in 2008.

"It's a huge part of our business," Greenberg said. "And it's a quickly growing portion of our business."

How did the others do? NPD Group plans to release its sales number for the video game industry next week.

-- Alex Pham

Photo credit: Microsoft

Comments

[blackkfox]

Okay, first of all, to everyone complaining about the Xbox 360 being incomplete or having to buy too many extra things, I have a simple answer for you: don't get the Xbox 360 Arcade. You'd be right in saying that it's an incomplete console... that's why you shouldn't buy it. Instead, pay an extra $100 to get the Xbox 360 Pro, which comes with controllers, a HDD, headset, etc. It has everything you need. You don't need a fan or cooler or anything; in fact, oftentimes those are what cause problems with the console.

And to the Red Ring of Death doomsayers:
That was a major problem... three years ago! All consoles that come out now are fine. Some of you are saying that Xbox 360 owners go through multiple consoles or have to send it in 6 times. To that, I'd say either you've just had very bad luck, or you're lying, because I've had my 360 for almost two years and haven't had any problems with it at all. And, even if I do have problems, I'll simply send it in to Microsoft for a free (yes, free) replacement.

Regarding the numbers:
The two consoles are basically neck in neck in terms of sales. If those figures are accurate, then that means the PS3 has sold an average of 10 million consoles per year and the 360 has sold an average of 9.3 million consoles per year. It's worth noting that 360 sales have barely slowed at all.

I gotta go right now but I'll be back with more...

[FG]

aim your post at me all you wish , you still cannot change the "FACTS" . You can dream for ever but reality will stay the same .

[Claudia Vonny Susilo Dewi]

I don't know why people compare each games consoles. Clear, consoles has advantages and disadvantages of each. If I have large money I will buy all. WII, XBOX 360 and PS3. :)

[number9ark]

I own "2" xbox360's from from original launch and another newer version from jan 1 . Never had a single problem with either played everyday never a single issue . Back on jan 1 when I purchased my second xbox360 . I was planning on purchasing a ps3 , I went to the mall bought one from a major retailer got it home and it was D.O.A. straight from the box . Returned it got a second got home with cam corder in hand another D.O.A. straight from the box . went to a second retailer purchased another got it home yet still D.O.A. straight from the box . We went to 6 different retailers and purchased "7" playstation 3's on jan 1 09 and 6 was D.O.A and the 7th started freezing up on the 3rd day . So I decided with a 100% failure rate for me with ps3 another 360 wouldn't hurt .here we are 6-12-09 and the new 360 "without" extra fans runs perfectly . Everytime I tried to return a ps3 to a retailer they tried their very hardest to get me to ship it back to sony . I had to seriously push the issue to get them to accept them . Im almost certain this is how SONY is hiding the true facts about ps3 failure rates by having people forced to return them to sony where the facts will not be counted .

Dont jump onto any companies bandwagon . I do strongly believe the majority of the 360 problems is from people not properly taking care of their systems the same goes for ps3 . I can only speak of my actual experience and cannot speak for others .

[mark houghtaling]

i think you dont need to pay to play why do this kids pay all that money to play if your xbox goes out you are still being bill for it that's why i love thw ps3 no cost to play online and no red rings so fanboys pay bill if you must but the xbox has a 33% failer rate ps3 0.02% fail rate you must allso buy a xbox live card xbox ms and then the game the ps3 yes it cost more but no online fees and only need to buy the maps sorry fanboy you just cant win.